فتىً لا يرى تأخيرَ غوثِ وَليِّهِ

ولا يَقْتضيه الشكر بالعَرَض الأدنى

A youth who does not delay in aiding his ally,

Nor does he make gratitude contingent on a paltry favor.

ولكنه يُعطي البلاغ إلى الغنى

إلى أن يُعينَ الوُجْدُ همته الكبرى

Rather he strives for excellence,

Until success aids his grand ambition.

هنالك يدعو الشاكرين لشكره

بغير لسانٍ بل بألسنةِ الجَدْوى

Thereafter he invites the grateful to thank him,

Not with words, but with deeds of lasting worth.

ولا عيبَ فيه غيرَ أني صحبتُه

وَليّاً فأَعْشى ناظرِي خَشعةُ المولى

His sole defect being that I associated with him

As a loyal friend, though he made my gaze downcast in awe.

تَعبَّدني بالعُرف حتى استذلَّني

على أنَّ في نفسي على غيرِه طَغْوى

He led me to piety until he belittled me,

Though my soul still pridefully soars over others.